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Snipes (2002)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:12
Fresh:3
Rotten:9
Average Rating:4.2/10
Synopsis: Director Rich Murray puts the Philadelphia hip-hop scene on the cinematic map with SNIPES, an urban crime thriller that breathes fresh life into the genre. Erik (Sam Jones III) is an ambitious... Director Rich Murray puts the Philadelphia hip-hop scene on the cinematic map with SNIPES, an urban crime thriller that breathes fresh life into the genre. Erik (Sam Jones III) is an ambitious teenager who spends more time posting flyers for his favorite rapper, Prolifik (Nelly), than sitting in the classroom. When he and his best friend stumble across a dead body one night, they trigger a series of tragic events. It turns out Prolifik, as well as the master tapes for his new record, have been kidnapped by a gang of thugs who want Bobby Starr (Dean Winters), the ruthless president of Prolifik's label, to dish out a meaty ransom. If he doesn't, they promise to make sure Bobby's uncle and chief investor, the dangerous Johnny Marandino (Frank Vincent), knows just how carelessly Bobby has been spending his money. Through a misunderstanding, Erik becomes the target of Bobby Starr, as well as the kidnappers. Fearful for his own life, as well as his father's, Erik must find a way to get his hands on the master tapes, before Bobby Starr gets his hands on him. Murray's energizing film boasts credible performances (especially from rap superstar Nelly) and a pulsating hip-hop soundtrack. This film screened in April 2002 in New York City as part of the Gen Art Film Festival. [More]
Starring: Sam Jones, Nelly, Dean Winters, Zoe Saldana
Starring: Sam Jones, Nelly, Dean Winters, Zoe Saldana, Schoolly D, Rashaan Nall, Frank Vincent
Director: Rich Murray
Director: Rich Murray
Screenwriter: Rich Murray, Rob Wiser
Producer: Rich Murray, Chris Schwartz
Studio: Innovation Film Group
Reviews for Snipes
Snipes relies too much on a scorchingly plotted dramatic scenario for its own good.
A loud, low-budget and tired formula film that arrives cloaked in the euphemism 'urban drama.'
'...Mafia, rap stars and hood rats butt their ugly heads in a regurgitation of cinematic violence that gives brutal birth to an unlikely, but likable, hero.'
Undone by its overly complicated and derivative screenplay, the glacier-paced direction and the stereotypical characters.
Trying to make head or tail of the story in the hip-hop indie Snipes is enough to give you brain strain -- and the pay-off is negligible.
A little judicious editing would have helped a lot, but the talented cast matches the film's ambitions and compensates for its modest budget.
As is often the case with ambitious, eager first-time filmmakers, Mr. Murray, a prolific director of music videos, stuffs his debut with more plot than it can comfortably hold.
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